Former WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes has once again found herself at the center of controversy, this time over her comments regarding NCAA star Caitlin Clark. Swoopes, a legend for the Houston Comets, has previously made headlines for her strong opinions about Clark, and her latest remarks have reignited the debate.

In a recent appearance on Gil’s Arena, the show hosted by former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, Swoopes disagreed with Arenas’ claim that Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese had embraced a “bully” role in her play. When Arenas referred to Reese as a “bully,” Swoopes quickly countered, dismissing the notion. Instead, she directed the conversation toward Clark, labeling her as the real bully in the women’s basketball world.

“If you want to talk about bullies, we can talk about every time Caitlin has the ball, she pushes off,” Swoopes stated. “I’m just saying.”

The comment instantly sparked reactions, with many WNBA fans taking issue with Swoopes’ characterization of Clark. The idea of Clark being a bully seems to have resonated poorly with supporters, who believe the star guard’s aggressive style of play is simply a reflection of her competitive nature and not an indication of poor sportsmanship.

This isn’t the first time Swoopes has been critical of Clark. Earlier this year, the WNBA icon made headlines after questioning Clark’s record-breaking achievement in NCAA women’s basketball. As Clark approached the NCAA Division I women’s basketball career scoring record, Swoopes suggested that Clark’s extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19 had given her an unfair advantage over former record-holder Kelsey Plum, who accomplished the feat in four years. Swoopes remarked, “So, is it truly a broken record? I don’t know. I don’t think so.”

Moreover, Swoopes incorrectly stated that Clark was in her fifth year at Iowa when she was, in fact, in her fourth season. Swoopes later walked back those comments, admitting she had made a mistake and even reaching out to Clark through LSU’s Angel Reese to apologize. Swoopes shared that she had a good conversation with Reese and sent a message to Clark, which the Iowa star responded to. Although Swoopes didn’t reveal the specifics of their conversation, she expressed her respect for Clark’s impact on the game.
“I have nothing but respect for what she has done for the game,” Swoopes said in the aftermath. “It was a really good conversation.”

Despite the apology, the rivalry between Clark and Reese, which has been heated and filled with drama, is expected to intensify in 2024. The two stars will face off at least twice in the regular season, and with tensions running high, fans are eager to see how the on-court dynamic will unfold.

As for Swoopes, her latest comments will undoubtedly keep her at the center of the controversy. Whether her remarks about Caitlin Clark will spark more debate or bring further division remains to be seen. One thing is clear, though—Sheryl Swoopes is never afraid to speak her mind.